The £294m programme will provide better flood protection for 165,000 homes.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said: “The 93 schemes given the green light today will bring huge relief to tens of thousands of homes and businesses that have lived with the fear of flood waters hitting their doors.

“This is also a message to the business community. By building defences that will unlock the economic potential of once blighted land we are saying to them that it is safe to come and set up. This will create jobs and grow the economy so we can compete in the global race.”

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, said: “Extra funding that we announced at Autumn Statement to boost growth is already being allocated to areas where flood defences will unlock new development and job opportunities, creating a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

Major schemes include:

• A £50.5m scheme in Leeds that will protect 495 businesses and create over 18,000 jobs.

• New £28.4m sea defences at Anchorsholme in Lancashire

• The £9.7m Skipton scheme in North Yorkshire will reduce flooding to over 350 residential and 165 business properties in the market town.

• £14.5m flood defences at Grimsby Docks in Lincolnshire

• A £10.8mscheme on the east bank of the River Arun at Littlehampton in West Sussex

• A £28.6m sea defence to protect over 2,000 homes in Great Yarmouth

For a full list of schemes click here